Klarinet Archive - Posting 001155.txt from 1998/07

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Keys
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 01:24:51 -0400

At 10:30 AM 7/27/98, Lee Hickling wrote:
>I agree with Dan Yungkurth on this:
>>I can't imagine that present-day orchestras or bands play in a
>>theoretically correct version of pure temperament, equal temperament or any
>>other definable "scale". Discussions with professional clarinetists in
>>major orchestras have convinced me that these players adjust pitch on any
>>sustained note so that it sounds "correct" in the chord. Ultimately the
>>ear, rather than any theoretical scale or tuning, determines what pitch is
>>correct in a given situation.
>
>I once learned a set of alternate fingerings for the clarinet, which were
>to adjust the pitch of notes when they were the leading tone (ti, 7th step
>of a scale). I've forgotten most of them, because I seldom use them. When
>necessary, I sharpen or flatten notes with adjustments in my embouchure,
>usually without conscious thought. Isn't this what most single reed players
>do? It's easy on the saxophone, where the intonation can be raised or
>lowered considerably with the lip.

This is what people who have developed the ear for it do. The rest of them
just continue to sound like junior high players the rest of their lives.
Many of them go on to have useful careers outside of music while holding
down the third chairs in their local community bands. :-)

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------